Community Justice Worker

General Description of the Position

The Community Justice Worker (CJW) is responsible for working alongside attorneys to provide legal information, advice, and brief service to clients with problems in the areas of law for which they are trained, which will include public benefits and may include housing, domestic violence, or debt collection.  The CJW will be part of a nationwide, community-driven movement to increase access to justice and legal assistance for low-income clients by interviewing/screening applicants and prospective clients for service, drafting documents, routine pleadings, and correspondence, performing basic legal and factual research, coordinating community education about legal topics, and other duties as assigned.  The CJW will also coordinate with a cohort of other CJWs throughout the United States.

Specific Duties

• Work with attorneys to provide legal advice and brief service to clients who are facing civil legal issues.
• Draft documents, routine pleadings, and correspondence for clients.
• Perform basic legal and factual research.
• Representing client in court hearings and alongside attorneys in court, or as permitted by bar waiver.
• Respectfully interview potential applicants for legal services who may be under stress of legal action, elicit factual information from applicants, analyze the type of legal problem presented to determine whether MLSA may assist, or whether a referral is appropriate, and evaluate legal need and financial eligibility of the applicant.

• Determine the legal needs and financial eligibility of the applicant for program services.
• Accurately enter data and scan and upload documents into MLSA’s case management system.
• Input data from on-line or paper applications.
• Mail HelpLine correspondence, civil legal education and other literature to individuals.

• Coordinate community education about legal topics, including independent presentations and providing assistance with legal clinics.

• Participate in a national CJW cohort and attend regular support meetings and annual in-person trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor or Director of Advocacy.

Required Skills & Attributes

• High school diploma or equivalent educational experience.
• Commitment to providing high quality legal assistance to low-to-moderate income Montanans.
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law firm.
• Ability to respond to clients in a calm, empathetic and professional manner while courteously directing the conversation to the pertinent issues.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment with multiple timelines.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple activities and tasks.
• Knowledge and proficiency in utilizing computer software such as MS Excel, MS Word, computer-based research, internet-based project management programs, etc.
• Ability to use technologies to communicate with colleagues and volunteers in rural and remote locations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise discretion and good judgment.
• Ability to travel, occasionally overnight if needed.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Experience with providing services to survivors of domestic violence.

• Prior legal experience and a demonstrated commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through volunteer activities and internships is valued.
• An understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of low-income people, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems, and of effective approaches and methods for addressing those needs.
• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues, firm partners, and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.

MLSA is an equal opportunity employer and we consider the diversity of our staff to be vital to our organization's success. We strongly encourage and welcome people of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.